Economy

FAO warns food prices surge 1.6 percent in April, cuts 2026 wheat output forecast to 817 million tons

FAO warns food prices surge 1.6 percent in April, cuts 2026 wheat output forecast to 817 million tons

Cereals, rice follow oil surge; meat prices smash record

ECB Lagarde rejects eurozone stagflation fears despite rising growth, inflation risks

ECB Lagarde rejects eurozone stagflation fears despite rising growth, inflation risks

Baseline forecasts 0.9 percent 2026 expansion rates steady amid oil shock divergence

Japan signs $2.2 billion loans for projects under $550 billion U.S. investment pledge

Japan signs $2.2 billion loans for projects under $550 billion U.S. investment pledge

The first three projects include an oil export facility in Texas, an industrial ⁠diamond plant and a natural gas-fired power plant

U.S. national debt surpasses 100 percent of GDP, hits 100.2 percent in March as it echos WWII highs

Banking & Finance

U.S. national debt surpasses 100 percent of GDP, hits 100.2 percent in March as it echos WWII highs

Public debt $31.27 trillion exceeds annual GDP record borrowing inaction

EU-Mercosur trade deal takes effect, cuts tariffs and opens 700 million-consumer market for EU exports

EU-Mercosur trade deal takes effect, cuts tariffs and opens 700 million-consumer market for EU exports

The deal unlocks major trade gains

U.S. Q1 2026 GDP grows 2 percent, beats forecasts amid inflation and global headwinds

U.S. Q1 2026 GDP grows 2 percent, beats forecasts amid inflation and global headwinds

GDP accelerates amid energy shock

Bank of England holds rates at 3.75 percent citing energy uncertainty, elevated inflation risks

Bank of England holds rates at 3.75 percent citing energy uncertainty, elevated inflation risks

MPC 8-1 vote warns of rising U.K. inflation risks from oil shock

Eurozone inflation hits 3 percent in April on energy surge amid Q1 GDP growth of 0.1 percent

Eurozone inflation hits 3 percent in April on energy surge amid Q1 GDP growth of 0.1 percent

Energy prices spiked 10.9 percent amid SoH blockade fueling stagflation fears

Bank of Japan holds interest rate at 0.75 percent, raises inflation forecast by 0.9 percent

Bank of Japan holds interest rate at 0.75 percent, raises inflation forecast by 0.9 percent

Central bank keeps policy steady in 6–3 vote as market expected

India and New Zealand sign free trade deal, announce $20 billion investment commitment

India and New Zealand sign free trade deal, announce $20 billion investment commitment

The investment commitment of $20 billion from New Zealand signals strong confidence in India’s growth story

Euro area economy contracts first time in 16 months as April PMI falls to 48.6 on services slump, energy cost pressures

Euro area economy contracts first time in 16 months as April PMI falls to 48.6 on services slump, energy cost pressures

Business activity weakens

India and South Korea announce plans to double trade to $50 billion by 2030

India and South Korea announce plans to double trade to $50 billion by 2030

The two sides agreed to substantially deepen economic cooperation, with a focus on industries such as shipbuilding, defense and artificial intelligence

U.S. inflation reaches 2-year high of 3.3 percent in March as gas price surge impacts broader economy

U.S. inflation reaches 2-year high of 3.3 percent in March as gas price surge impacts broader economy

Gasoline prices climbed 21.2 percent in March, marking record increase since 1967

U.S. Q4 GDP growth revised lower to 0.5 percent as investment weakens

U.S. Q4 GDP growth revised lower to 0.5 percent as investment weakens

The Commerce Department reported a step down from the prior 0.7 percent growth figure for the quarter

Sri Lanka secures IMF agreement for $700 million, commits to reforms for economic stability

Sri Lanka secures IMF agreement for $700 million, commits to reforms for economic stability

Country implemented fuel rationing and 35 percent price hike to preserve foreign reserves

U.S. Federal Reserve minutes reveal policy split as officials weigh potential interest rate hikes

U.S. Federal Reserve minutes reveal policy split as officials weigh potential interest rate hikes

Fed officials forecast slower progress toward 2 percent inflation goal amid energy volatility

U.S. jobs see sharp rebound with 178,000 nonfarm payrolls added in March

U.S. jobs see sharp rebound with 178,000 nonfarm payrolls added in March

Unemployment falls to 4.3 percent as 396K drop out of labor force

World food prices hit highest since September, FAO says

World food prices hit highest since September, FAO says

Wheat up 4.3 percent from U.S. crop fears and Australian planting cuts

U.S. trade gap hits $57.3 billion following 4.9 percent rise, despite record $314.8 billion in in exports

U.S. trade gap hits $57.3 billion following 4.9 percent rise, despite record $314.8 billion in in exports

Esxports surge was driven by monetary gold and natural gas

Bank of Japan updates natural rate estimate as era of ultra low rates ends

Bank of Japan updates natural rate estimate as era of ultra low rates ends

Neutral interest rate range stands between -0.9 percent and +0.5 percent

ECB President Lagarde signals potential rate hikes to counter energy shock

ECB President Lagarde signals potential rate hikes to counter energy shock

Lagarde stated that a moderate overshoot of the inflation target could justify measured tightening

Eurozone output growth slows in March as input cost inflation accelerates: PMI

Eurozone output growth slows in March as input cost inflation accelerates: PMI

Manufacturing production increased modestly, and at a pace that was only slightly slower than that seen in February

U.S. business activity growth falls to 11-month low in March, says S&P Global

U.S. business activity growth falls to 11-month low in March, says S&P Global

The S&P Global U.S. Manufacturing PMI rose from 51.6 in February to 52.4 in March

Japan’s core consumer inflation slows below central bank’s 2 percent target in February

Japan’s core consumer inflation slows below central bank’s 2 percent target in February

Core inflation eased from 2 percent in January to 1.6 percent in February, falling below the BOJ’s 2 percent target for the first time since March 2022